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Money raised supports animal rescue groups

By Harold J. Adams •  August 31, 2008

Photos by Harold J. Adams, The Courier-Journal

  The Floyd County 4-H Fairgrounds went to the dogs -- and cats -- during the annual Rally to Rescue fundraising event yesterday.

Hundreds of pet lovers poured into the central barn area, where dozens of breed-specific animal-rescue organizations and other vendors set up shop to raise money and awareness for their task.               

Some also offered animals for adoption.

That's what brought in Stacy Kampschaefer of Sellersburg. She was cuddling a Chihuahua named Zeke her family was considering taking home.

"We have a Shih Tzu already and we're trying to find a little companion for her," Kampschaefer said.

Rally to Rescue is sponsored by pet food company Purina and its Pro Plan brand of feeds through marketing and fundraising support. The event assists small rescue organizations that organizers say might get overlooked for donations that typically go to better-known groups.

Nicole Hahn of Southern Star MinPin Rescue is this year's Kentucky-Indiana Rally to Rescue ambassador and one of the event coordinators.

"We're just out raising money and getting people aware of the fact that rescues are out there," she said. Money is raised through raffles, food booths and the sale of Rally T-shirts supplied by Purina.

The rescuers take in animals from owners or from shelters that have kept them as long as they can and might otherwise put them to death. Volunteers take the animals into their homes as foster pets and care for them until they can be adopted.

Jackie Maier, a volunteer with Tri-State Collie Rescue, said Rally to Rescue is an opportunity to meet with other organizations.

"When you do rescue, you know just about everybody; you just don't get to put names and faces together," Maier said, because so much of rescue work involves one group calling another to alert it to an animal of a specific breed that needs help.

Annual Adoption Reunion~Fundraiser - August 23^rd  2008

Some of the events we have attended in 2007

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Some tired pups....